Bonfires and Purple Flags (From Bucks Free Press)

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"I'm an 18-year-old guy who's lived in Wycombe all my life and I'm pretty happy with the place. In these blogs I hope to explore important (and not so important) issues including the history of the area. I hope you enjoy them."

Bonfires and Purple Flags

4:18pm Friday 5th November 2010

By Ollie »

Bonfire Night- one of those celebrations Americans seem to know nothing about. In case you don’t: every November 5th, it is customary to commemorate the failed plot to explode the House of Parliament. For it was four hundred and five years ago today, on the 5th November 1605 that Guido Fawkes, part of a group led by Robert Catesby, was caught beneath Westminster with 36 barrels of gunpowder.

Of course Fawkes was caught, tortured and later executed, but not until he had given the names of many of his fellow conspirators. Ever since- the name Guy Fawkes has been a famous one- even though he wasn’t the brains of the operation as many think. And so of course we burn bonfires, and sometimes straw ‘Guys’ to show our hatred (or admiration?) of poor Mr Fawkes.

Incidentally the monarch they were trying to blow up wasn’t a hardened dictator bent on crushing any opposing religions of fellow Christians of inferior denomination. James I was a bit of a fool, thinking that it was his right to be king because God had said so- but as time went by he was tolerant of other people (usually) which makes him a far sight better than some of his contemporary sovereigns. The aim of the Gunpowder plot was merely to secure a new Catholic grip on the throne.

That’s tradition. Here’s something new. In the past few days it is with great pleasure that I can say that High Wycombe has been awarded a Purple Flag, an award that recognises how pleasant a place is to be at night. The current holders are Bath, Birmingham, several areas of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Halifax, Oxford, Winchester and High Wycombe. High Wycombe and Halifax really stand out in this list- both being roughly the same size and towns, not cities. How fantastic.

Wycombe has come such a long way since its depression days on the 70s and 80s when the town was quiet and dirty. To catch a bus meant you had to wait in a dingy and smelly concrete box- not a nice way to end a night out.

Now there’s a whole host of new attractions to tempt the average night owl- the theatre which shows some productions that previously only London would be able to put on, such as Blood Brothers. Cinema goers, instead of traipsing out to Cressex can now enjoy their films in the town, with a huge range of restaurants to feed them afterwards. Also the bowling alley, which removes the need to go to Maidenhead. And then of course the range of bars and restaurants, such as Yates in Frogmoor and the selection of chain eateries which are so popular these days (with me as well).

Transport connections too! Not only a new bus station (with electric lighting and no urinary odours) but a new railway station project under construction. When that’s complete, buses and trains will be able to interchange properly for the first time- and visitors will be greeted with a far nicer view than the forecourt with taxis they currently get. What’s more, the old engine shed is actually being put into use! Isn’t that brilliant? Instead of a rotting old eyesore, it will become a new waiting and shopping area- as detailed in the plans made publicly available through Wycombe District Council.

As certain miseries will point out, certain shops still remain empty. Some parts of the town are not as busy as they should be. That is true. What is also true is that they are always being filled- a new old fashioned sweet shop for instance, opening soon in the Eden Centre. Some businesses fail, sadly that is life; and life goes on. The best thing to do, and I’ve always believed this, is to maintain an optimistic and positive outlook on the world and the town. Things aren’t as bad as they say- the good old days might have been good, but these days are a hell of a lot better in Wycombe.

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Comments(33)

Melanie1 says...
7:48pm Fri 5 Nov 10

Ah Ollie you're back, thank the lord for a good blogger!
.
I've been away for a few days so missed the information regarding the Purple Flag so I'm pleased that you've mentioned it.